Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Senior Reporter
WHAT began as a dream for six academically gifted, but vulnerable children has now turned into a real-life story of courage in the skies, as beneficiaries of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s aviation scholarship programme are now confidently flying solo.
The students, enrolled at Central Air Transport Services (CATS) at Charles Prince Airport in Harare under the Angel of Hope Foundation scholarship, have moved beyond basic training circuits and are now taking longer flights to various destinations across the country.
The First Lady’s six trainee pilots, now affectionately known as the “Angels”, are no longer just students chasing a dream; they are now confidently taking to the skies, flying solo and clocking close to 100 flight hours.
They have already flown as far as Kariba and the Zambezi Valley, a major milestone for trainee pilots and a strong signal that Zimbabwe’s next generation of aviators is taking shape.
For the six young Zimbabweans, the cockpit is no longer a distant dream reserved for the privileged, but a working space where discipline, confidence and skill are being sharpened daily.
Sharing their experiences, some of the “Angels” revealed that during their first solo flights they battled anxiety, with some praying and even playing gospel music in the cockpit to calm their nerves as they took to the skies alone.
In another memorable highlight of their journey, the “Angels” have also had the honour of flying in the presence of the First Lady, an honour they described as unforgettable and motivating.
The six beneficiaries, Ayanda Hela from Chegutu, Cheryl Gavhure from Gokwe, Carla Miga from Lupane, Emmanuel Tika from Insuza, Delani Dube from Gwanda and Benjamin Muturuka from Mhondoro, were selected through a rigorous process targeting academically gifted, but disadvantaged students from across the country.
A visit to CATS at Charles Prince Airport in Harare offered a rare firsthand glimpse into the remarkable transformation of the six young Zimbabweans, as they took turns to fly in our presence.
One after another, the students climbed into the cockpit, taxied smoothly onto the runway, accelerated and lifted off with confidence, before returning to execute clean landings that drew admiration from those watching.
The controlled take-offs and steady landings were clear evidence that the First Lady’s scholarship programme is not merely symbolic, but is producing tangible results in an industry often viewed as unreachable for children from humble backgrounds.
With their logbooks steadily filling and their confidence growing with each flight, the “Angels” are now soaring towards becoming fully qualified pilots, inspiring communities back home and proving that with support, discipline and opportunity, even the most distant dreams can take flight.
The young pilots say the scholarship has opened doors that once seemed firmly shut, especially for children from rural communities where aviation is often viewed as a distant world for the privileged.
Pilot trainee Gavhure said prayer played a central role in helping her remain calm during her first solo flight, describing the experience as both emotional and life-changing.
“I started praying because I was thinking about what would happen if something went wrong. To stay calm, I also started singing gospel music throughout the flight,” she said.
Miss Gavhure, a beneficiary of the Angel of Hope Scholarship and student at CATS Aviation Training Academy, described her aviation journey as extraordinary, saying it has transformed a once-distant dream into reality.
“My experience so far has been amazing. I still feel like I am living in a dream. Being here has been such a blessing, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity,” she said.
She said her first solo flight remained her most memorable milestone.
“My first solo flight remains my best experience so far. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I really ready?’ but my instructor kept reassuring me, saying, ‘You are more than ready,’” she said.
Miss Gavhure said the experience was both intimidating and empowering.
“It was scary at first because you realise you are now entrusted to fly the aircraft alone. At the same time, it was exciting because I knew I was ready,” she said.
She added that the flight took place on a calm Sunday morning under perfect weather conditions, with 73 flying hours to her name.
“My first solo was on a Sunday morning. The weather was perfect and everything felt calm. I currently have 73 hours of flying experience,” she said.
Miss Gavhure said the defining moment came when she realised she was completely alone in the cockpit.
“When I reached the holding point, it really hit me that this was real. I took off and was surprisingly calm. I did all my checks, flew the circuit, and landed safely on my first attempt,” she said.
She added that looking to her right mid-flight reinforced her confidence.
“I looked to my right and realised I was completely alone in the cockpit. I told myself, ‘Okay, I have got this,’” she said.
Miss Gavhure expressed gratitude to the Angel of Hope Foundation, saying the scholarship had transformed her life and made her aviation dreams possible.
Pilot trainee Miss Hela said her passion for aviation began in childhood and has grown into a structured journey that has already seen her obtain a private pilot’s licence.
“I used to watch planes flying overhead and ask my mother to take me to the airport. That’s where it all started,” she said.
Miss Hela said earning her private pilot’s licence was a major milestone, and she is now progressing into night flying and instrument flight rules (IMC) training, with over 80 flying hours.
Miss Hela said her first solo flight remains a defining moment in her training, as it came as a surprise during a routine circuits session.
“We had just returned from circuits with my instructor when she asked if I was ready to fly alone. I said no, but she told me I was going solo,” she said.
Miss Hela said the experience was both nerve-wracking and unforgettable.
“I was nervous, but I took off on my own. It only really hit me on final approach that I was alone in the aircraft,” she said.
Miss Hela said she successfully completed the flight and was celebrated upon landing.
“I landed well, and they poured water on me; it was such an exciting moment,” she said.
Miss Hela said being selected to fly before the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, was another defining moment in her journey, which gave her added motivation and pride.
“I was fortunate enough to be selected to fly before the First Lady, Dr Mnangagwa. Later, I saw videos of her clapping for me, and that really motivated me and made me feel happy,” she said. Miss Hela said being chosen in a group that included male peers gave her additional confidence and a sense of achievement.
“It made me feel proud because I was a girl being selected among boys,” she said.
Miss Hela added that the experience reflects part of the core mission of the Angel of Hope Foundation, which is to empower and encourage girls to pursue excellence.
“It goes with what Angel of Hope Foundation was made for: encouraging girls to soar to excellence and reach for the skies,” she said.
Miss Hela said her training now includes advanced manoeuvres and navigation flights to destinations such as Marondera, Glendale, Bindura and Mana Pools.
Pilot trainee Dube said his aviation journey under the Angel of Hope sponsorship has been transformative, shaping both his flying skills and personal growth at CATS Aviation.
“I started here at CATS Aviation in August 2024 under the sponsorship of our Amai, the First Lady. I have completed my private pilot’s licence and am now doing my commercial and instrument rating training,” he said.
He said the experience has taught him discipline, teamwork, and resilience, especially when dealing with weather-related challenges.
“In aviation, training builds your character and teaches you to stay calm under pressure,” he said.
Mr Dube said his first solo flight remains one of his most memorable experiences.
“It came as a surprise, but it was a beautiful one,” he said.
He said conditions became slightly challenging during the flight when it started drizzling, but he remained focused and landed safely.
“I was a bit scared, but I stayed in control and managed to land safely. It was the best landing of my life,” he said.
Mr Dube said he is now progressing towards his commercial pilot training with over 100 flying hours.
He expressed gratitude to the Angel of Hope Foundation, saying the opportunity has been life-changing.
Pilot trainee Tika said his aviation journey under the Angel of Hope Scholarship has been both unexpected and rewarding, describing it as a story of grace and opportunity at CATS Aviation.
“I initially wasn’t selected, but through God’s grace I was later chosen as a replacement after someone didn’t pass medicals,” he said.
Mr Tika said he began training in June 2024 and went on to complete his solo flight in June 2025, describing it as a defining milestone in his career.
“I went solo on 6 June 2025, later in the day, around sunset. The view was beautiful,” he said.
He said the take-off remained his most memorable moment in flying.
“The take-off is what caught me from day one. If it doesn’t catch you, I don’t know what will,” he said.
Mr Tika said he later obtained his licence in March 2026 and has since been rated.
He said his solo navigation flight from Charles Prince to Chegutu and back was more challenging but highly rewarding.
“It was more challenging because of turbulence and light rain showers, but I managed it,” he said.
Mr Tika added that flying in turbulent conditions felt more intense than when accompanied by an instructor, but remained a valuable experience.
“Turbulence feels more frightening when you’re alone, but it was a great experience overall,” he said.
Pilot trainee Miga described her aviation journey as nothing short of extraordinary, saying the scholarship has turned what was once a childhood dream into reality.
“My best experience so far has been my first solo flight. It was a whole week of anticipation, constantly asking myself: ‘Am I really ready?’ My instructor kept reassuring me, saying, ‘You are more than ready.’
“It was frightening at first because you realise you are now being entrusted to fly the aircraft on your own, without anyone beside you.
“So far, I have accumulated 60 flying hours and I can confidently say this is one of the best careers anyone can pursue,” she said.
Miss Miga added, “My first solo was on June 23, and it became one of the best days of my life. I knew I was in full control of the aircraft, and I managed to land it safely. That moment gave me the confidence to truly call myself a pilot.”
Miss Miga said the programme has also exposed her to invaluable mentorship opportunities.
“I have had the chance to interact with people who are already in the aviation industry and the mentorship has been incredible. These are opportunities that you cannot easily get unless you are already within the industry,” she said.
She expressed profound gratitude to First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, describing her as a true Angel of Hope.
“I am deeply grateful to the Angel of Hope Foundation because flight training was a non-starter for me. I grew up in Lupane with no idea where to even begin, but today, here I am soaring to excellence,” she said.
Pilot trainee Muturuka described his aviation journey as a lifelong dream made possible through a scholarship, saying he has always aspired to become a pilot.
“I always dreamt of becoming a pilot, and the scholarship made that dream possible,” he said.
He said his first experience of flying was overwhelming and inspiring.
“Being in the sky and knowing you are in control feels like you are out of this world,” he said.
Mr Muturuka said the journey has come with challenges and fear, especially in the early stages, but persistence has helped him improve.
“It hasn’t been easy. There are challenges and sometimes fear, but the more you keep flying, the more it goes away,” he said. He added that determination has kept him focused on his goal. “I have to keep pushing and make sure the dream stays alive,” he said.
He said his first solo flight was a surprise but a defining moment in his training.
“It came as a surprise, but it was thrilling knowing I was the one in control,” he said.
Mr Muturuka said he now has 67 flying hours and has gained experience flying to several locations during training, including Shamva, Bindura, Marondera and Domboshava.
“Each flight builds my confidence and experience,” he said.
Chief Flight Instructor and Head of Training at CATS Aviation Training Academy, Rudo Magwere, said the First Lady’s scholarship beneficiaries, affectionately known as the “Angels”, have exceeded expectations since joining the institution.
“I can confidently say they have surpassed expectations.
To date, we have three who have already obtained their Private Pilot Licence, while the remaining three will be sitting for their tests sometime this week,” she said.
Chief Flight Instructor and Head of Training at CATS Aviation Training Academy, Magwere said the trainees have adapted well to the demands of aviation training, both academically and in conduct.
“In terms of their progression and how they have adapted to becoming pilots, they have performed exceptionally well. They are doing very well in their subjects, and their conduct has been outstanding. They have carried themselves with discipline and maturity,” she said.
Chief Flight Instructor and Head of Training at CATS Aviation Training Academy, Rudo Magwere added that the academy is focused on producing disciplined and well-rounded pilots, not just skilled aviators.
“We are not only grooming individual pilots, but we are building well-rounded professionals. I would say the future of our country’s aviation industry is in safe hands,” she said.
She commended the students for maintaining good character and behaviour, saying they have remained focused and obedient since the programme began.
“They are very punctual, they are not involved in drugs or mischievous behaviour, and they listen to their instructors and staff. They are well-behaved and committed to their training,” she said. The scholarship programme, which is being implemented through the First Lady’s Angel of Hope Foundation, is part of her broader thrust to uplift vulnerable groups through education and skills development.
